Thursday, March 9, 2017

CITY COURT BAEZ: A CASE OF THE TAIL WAGGING THE DOG

By Jim Barton
The Brownsville Observer blog

The last time we heard about City Court Administrator Roberto Baez, he'd been suspended with pay for allegedly participating in a scheme to circumvent the City Charter, pulling municipal court employees out from under the supervision of the court into a new city department, likely named "Court Services."

Seemingly, Baez, along with City Secretary Michael Lopez, had been trying to sneak the administrative changes past Municipal Judge Ben Neece, waiting until the judge left town on vacation.

"When the cat's away, the mice will play!"

As soon as Neece retired at the end of 2017, overpaid City Manager Charlie Cabler gave Baez his old job back.
Quotes attributed to Mr. Baez in a March 6, 2017 Brownsville Herald reporting about Brownsville's pet microchip ordinance seem to indicate the court administrator may yet again be getting too big for his britches, usurping the roles of judge, animal control officer and city attorney.

Here is part of the Herald article:
"People who violate the ordinance will be cited and required to appear in court. At the Brownsville Municipal Court,officials will ask the pet owner to come back with proof that they have microchipped their pet.

Municipal Court Administrator Roberto Baez said the court will work with the pet owner to comply with the ordinance, but after several times the pet owner does not comply, the court will issue a $250 fine as a last resort."

If these comments, asserted to be from Baez, are accurate, Court Administrator Baez is attempting to usurp the authority of the municipal judge, who ALONE can assess fines or even apply leniency.

Can a Brownsville citizen, brought into court on a pet microchip violation, present as a defense, Court Administrator Baez's promise that only after several(3 or more) violations can he expect to be fined? Will Baez "throw out" any fines imposed by a municipal judge on only the first or second violation?

Or do you feel Administrator Baez should stick to planning court schedules and stay out of the business of deciding punishment, fines or offering leniency to alleged offenders?

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Baez is the biggest kissass in the City. The only reason he has that position is because he searches who's ass he needs to kiss for promotions. He is an idiot who doesn't even have a good grasp of the English language. In the words of Donald Trump "Sad!"

Anonymous said...

Tad Hasse leaked this story. Believe it.

Anonymous said...

Drain the city and bisd swamp from matamoros green cards

Anonymous said...

tad hasse is behind this. no fucking doubt.

Anonymous said...

Don't cry like a baby

Anonymous said...

"Tad Hasse leaked this story. Believe it."

Dumbass, Roberto Baez was interviewed by the Herald. That's an interview, not a leak. You likely don't have access to a dictionary, but ask a more educated neighbor you trust to explain the difference.

Anonymous said...

I'm not up to date on the dog chip interview, but I can say that the rest of the post is absolutely true.

Anonymous said...

Baez is an arrogant asshole of the higest level. No one in the municipal court dept. likes him. I really dont blame Baez for the shit he's trying do, but i really blame Charlie Cabler and Oscar Salinas for giving this asshole more power than he deserve and can handle. At the end he will fall on his sword youll see.

Anonymous said...

Baez is the biggest asshole & idiot ever known to man. Nobody likes this guy. He thinks he's smarter than anyone but can even speak English well. I don't blame him as much as I blame Cabler and Oscar Salinas for giving power to this asshole and Lopez to run wild.

Anonymous said...

Seems like Baez and Lopez are sucking the same d&^% to get away with everything!

Anonymous said...

How much is Michael Lopez getting paid if he's both the City Secretary and the Assistant City Manager??? Is he double dipping? The guy's an idiot, he doesn't know anything, a degree doesn't make you any smarter, especially if obtained from an online college, uyyyyyy!!!!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous at 3:25. Shut the fuck up , Cris Valadez ! You're the last person that should bring up "double dipping." All those years ripping off the taxpayers while on the blogs or in school on taxpayers time! All your sick schemes with Cascos! Fuck you,mugroso !

Anonymous said...

Cabler is giving much power to assholes like Lopez and Baez in order for him to do shit all day. He know his retirement is nearing and he is just cruising at work and sucking the city's tits. Poor city employees no raises because everything goes to assholes like Lopez,baez,salinas and the worst Cabler.

rita